Category Archives: Copy

Online Sales Increase in 2008

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Posted by admin on June 9, 2008 – 3:35 am
Filed under Copy, Copywriting, Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, Small Business, online advertising, online marketing, web copy, website

A recent study conducted by Forrester Research Inc. estimates a 17% increase in 2008 for online sales, equaling about $204 billion. According to this same study, the three categories that are sought out most by online shoppers are apparels ($26.6 billion), computers ($23.9 billion), and autos ($19.3 billion).

As the online market continues to increase, many companies are looking to establish a web presence or expand their current web presence to stay competitive. A website is a powerful sales tool, yet establishing a strong online presence is a challenge to some businesses that are unfamiliar with how to compete and stand out among the millions of websites.

According to the study, apparel is the largest category sought out by online consumers with $26.6 billion predicted in sales. For apparel companies looking to establish an online presence, this can be even more difficult as many of them, especially the small to midsized businesses, have little or no experience selling products and promoting their businesses online.

As more shoppers turn to the web for purchasing apparel, companies are realizing that there is a definite need to make the change. Many don’t know where to begin the processes to effectively sell and market online, or how to find the balance for reaching out to current retail shoppers while appealing to an online or virtual audience. Their entire marketing plan requires tweaking in order to participate online. However, more often than not, they need the right professional help to market themselves both effectively and efficiently.

With a declining economy, shoppers are looking for the cheapest and easiest way to buy products online, which may account for the 17% estimated increase. The increase in gas prices may also be affecting online sales because shoppers are less likely to drive longer distances to purchase the clothes they want.

As competition for the online market is increasing, companies need to find ways to efficiently market themselves. Hiring a professional copywriter, one who understands how to write web copy, is strongly encouraged, especially for the small or midsized business competing against corporate entities. These smaller companies are not only competing with local retailers in a geographical area but are also competing on a global scale.

A strong online presence not only allows companies to expand their markets beyond local consumers, but it also allows those in the geographical area to locate them easier. Having a store locator and special coupons to print and bring in benefit the consumers who are doing their research before heading out to stores. Consumers are also looking at what products are available to try on in the stores so that they don’t waste time and gas driving around town to different stores.

The Key to Your Online Success

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Posted by admin on June 7, 2008 – 4:52 pm
Filed under Copy, Copywriting, Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tip, Small Business, online advertising, online marketing, web copy, website

Whether you are in the market for a new car, planning your next vacation, getting your dose of the daily news, or researching an expensive purchase, most likely you head to the web first.  

The web is the easiest way to get information across to the target audience of any company—and as fast and efficiently as possible. But it’s not just about having a website for your business. It’s about having the best website for your type of business.

One deciding factor in whether you are the best website out there for your specific products or services is clear, concise web copy. Your website must grab the targeted consumer’s attention, inform the consumer of your business, and present your services and products in a clear and efficient way. Nothing frustrates me more than going to a website to purchase something and not being provided with sufficient contact information, an easy navigation bar, or clearly stated benefits to purchasing with that company. This is why excellent web copy is the key to a website’s success.

More and more, consumers are turning to the internet for information and to purchase goods and services. Even airports are catering to these needs. You will not believe how many airports are on this list that offer Wi-Fi. I was in New York’s JFK airport the other day and there was no room on the Wi-Fi circle for me to sit. Think about all the people out there, like me, who enjoy surfing the web during free time—even if that means free time at the airport. 

Does your website need a makeover? Check out Michelle Salater’s professional web copy services at http://www.mlsalater.com/services-web-copy.cfm

If Your Website Doesnt Do This, You May Be Losing Sales

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Posted by admin on April 21, 2008 – 8:09 pm
Filed under Copy, Copywriting, Marketing, Marketing Tip, Small Business, online marketing

Your website is a powerful sales tool. A tool that should be working for you round the clock. 24/7. While you’re sleeping, in a meeting, and yes, even while you’re enjoying dinner with the family.

While your site is the easiest and fastest way to advertise and sell your services or product and has the potential to be an unlimited source of revenue, it will prove a waste of your energy unless you invest your time and effort into creating the content.

To get potential visitors to purchase your products or services, you must effectively address concerns and answer additional questions. Less is better. Keep it simple. The best way to do this is with a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers page—a separate FAQ section. Bold the question, and then answer it. The secret is to answer it as clearly and concisely as you can—in the shortest amount of words possible. List the most commonly asked questions first.

A great way to know what potential customers need and want to know is to email a satisfaction questionnaire shortly after they have taken your garden tour or purchased your hand-designed jewelry. Ask relevant questions that are clear and direct; then use this information to narrow your FAQ section.

Client testimonials are also a great way to learn more about your company: how clients perceived the level of service, what they liked and disliked, and why they chose to do business with you. Paying attention to these statements and mining them for valuable information will also help in determining what potential customers want and need to know.

Do not forget the power of offering free information. Posting online articles or blog entries will help you establish credibility and help with your online presence. Remember, the information must be useful. The more useful it is, the better credibility you will have. The key is to make sure it will work to your benefit and turn potential clients into customers.

 

**This is an excerpt from my FREE report, “5 Secrets for Creating Web Copy That Will Increase Your Sales and Double Your Profits.” Visit www.mlsalater.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free copy.

 

Going to California Without A Map…

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Posted by admin on April 16, 2008 – 6:07 pm
Filed under Copy, Marketing, Marketing Tip, Small Business, online marketing

Let’s say you’re planning a two week road trip from Connecticut to California. You pack accordingly. You have the camera and backup batteries, the cooler is packed, your bank account in order. The departure day arrives, and you’re off. You don’t need a map. You know the interstate out of town, and you’ll figure out your next interstate when the road forks or at the next interchange. You’ll follow the signs, plan it by ear, go with your gut. No big deal. After all, how hard can it be to find California?

The above scenario sounds ridiculous, but that is exactly what many people do with their businesses. They have a vague idea of where they are going, but fail to plot the course on how to get there. It happens time and time again. People are so excited about the possibilities, about the future, that they forget (or rather ignore) the importance of planning. We’ve all heard it before, that voice inside of us that screams, “But I don’t wanna!”

While in theory, California is easy to find—head west and you’ll eventually hit it—there is a huge difference between ending up in San Diego versus San Francisco. Different terrain, climate, atmosphere, and the list goes on. Without a map as a guide, you’ll wander aimlessly, the frustrations will build, and many times you’ll head down the wrong road.

A solid plan is the key to achieving any goal.

I challenge you, if you haven’t already, to take time to write out the purpose of your business. Plot your course to success. Treat yourself to a cappuccino (or a cold gin and tonic) or find a quiet spot in the house, and think about your goals. Then write them down as clearly as you can. And be specific. California is specific, but not specific enough. Do you want to visit the mountains in the north or the sunny beaches in the south? And when you get there, what is it that you want to do?

Not only do you need to know what you want to achieve, but why. Figuring out the why will help you understand the driving force. Many people know what they want, or think they know, but never define the motivating factor. What is driving your goal? Is it the opportunity to be your own boss, set your own hours, spend more time with your family, or build something that you can sell?

Good SEO Info Video

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Posted by admin on April 11, 2008 – 3:10 am
Filed under Copy, Copywriting, Marketing, Marketing Tip, Small Business, online advertising, online marketing

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8v3UnMDC5M&hl=en]

The Best Marketing Tip I Can Offer

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Posted by admin on April 9, 2008 – 10:04 pm
Filed under Copy, Copywriting, Marketing, Small Business, online marketing

Things, they are a changing at Michelle Salater Writing & Editorial. As our clients’ needs and wants change, so is our company. And we couldn’t be happier with the way things are headed. We’re tweaking the site and reworking the newsletter. Just today, I completed a new FREE report, which is packed full of great info on creating web copy that will accelerate your sales and increase your customers. It’s free to anyone who signs up for my monthly ezine, Your Business Marketing Solution.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because a little self-promotion never hurt anyone. Which leads me to the point of this blog…the best marketing tip I can offer.

Marketing Tip: There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of shameless self promotion. Nothing at all. If you believe in what you do, that your product or services better the peoples lives you serve, then you must share your company with others.

Behold, the Power of the Press Release

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Posted by admin on April 8, 2008 – 8:27 pm
Filed under Copy, Copywriting, Marketing, Marketing Tip, Small Business, online advertising, online marketing

A few days ago, I had coffee with a super styling friend of mine who owns Charleston Style Concierge, a personal style and closet editing company. Over lattes, she raised the question of press releases. Specifically, are they effective? Do they really drive traffic to your site, bring you business?

Yes and yes. Here’s why…

Regularly publishing a press release online is an excellent way to boost your online visibility. When you post a newsworthy press release, it helps maximize your SEO efforts and drives more traffic to your website. Another benefit to submitting press releases online is that they are archived. One release will get exposure for long time.

Regularly posting press releases—or whenever you have something newsworthy—is great for publicity and direct exposure. Companies, journalists, PR agencies, and the general public opt-in to have specific types of press releases sent to them daily. How good would business be if an article spotlighting your boutique hotel appeared in a magazine or newspaper? I bet your answer is, pretty darn good.

There are numerous online press release sites, some are free while others charge. Express-Press-Release.com is free, easy to use, and requires no registration. PRWeb.com allows you to choose from 4 distribution packages. The basic package is $80.00 and the most advanced is $360.

If you want to If you aren’t regularly submitting press releases, you should consider doing so.

What’s In a Name?

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Posted by admin on April 3, 2008 – 2:09 pm
Filed under Copy, Marketing, headlines

Titles are a pain in my butt. Always have been. I remember back in high school when I was the newspaper editor how I used to go nuts (hair pulling ,high drama nuts) over creating the perfect headline. Sadly, in my adult life, things haven’t changed much. So, you can imagine the suffering I went through trying to name this blog. I wrote down every possible idea. Nothing clicked.

When a good friend of mine suggested Dinosaurs and Pudding as a weblog title, I thought, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. It would be fitting for a band, not a blog about marketing and copywriting. Yet, I kept coming back to it. What was it about Dinosaurs and Pudding that struck a cord with me?

Possibly because it is different. Unique. Heck, I’d click on it just to see what it was all about. Wouldn’t you?

Why did I pick Copy Doodle instead? The “professional” side of me opted for something a bit more, well, professional. While it may not be as fun as Dinosaurs and Pudding, it has a spunky ring to it. And I like it.

Welcome to the Copy Doodle weblog–a space created to doodle about marketing and copywriting and the joys and the pains of operating a small to midsized business.